Mawgan
Encyclopedia
Mawgan and Meugan are names referring to either one or two Brythonic saints who flourished in the 5th or 6th century.
Both names are widely attested in place-names and church dedications, "Mawgan" in Cornwall and Brittany and "Meugan" in Wales, but it is uncertain whether the names refer to one and the same person. There is also a St Machan in West Lothian
(Scotland), as shown by the place-name Ecclesmachan
, but again this may be a distinct figure.
No hagiographical Life survives for Mawgan or Meugan, but figures bearing Latinised versions of either of these names appear in the Lives of St Cadog and St David
. A saint called Maucan or Moucan features in an episode of the late 11th-century Life of Cadog, in which he arbitrates a quarrel between Cadog and Maelgwn, king of Gwynedd. A Life of St David, also of the late 11th century, refers to a monastery of Mawgan (Maucannus).
Later still, Meugan is mentioned in the Welsh genealogical collection known as Bonedd y Saint
, which detail the lineages of Welsh saints. The relevant section has been dated to c. 1510.
Both names are widely attested in place-names and church dedications, "Mawgan" in Cornwall and Brittany and "Meugan" in Wales, but it is uncertain whether the names refer to one and the same person. There is also a St Machan in West Lothian
West Lothian
West Lothian is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland, and a Lieutenancy area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Falkirk, North Lanarkshire, the Scottish Borders and South Lanarkshire....
(Scotland), as shown by the place-name Ecclesmachan
Ecclesmachan
Ecclesmachan is a village in West Lothian. It lies just north of Uphall on the B8046 road. As at 2001, the population of the civil parish of Ecclesmachan was 529 and was 811 in 1991....
, but again this may be a distinct figure.
No hagiographical Life survives for Mawgan or Meugan, but figures bearing Latinised versions of either of these names appear in the Lives of St Cadog and St David
Saint David
Saint David was a Welsh Bishop during the 6th century; he was later regarded as a saint and as the patron saint of Wales. David was a native of Wales, and a relatively large amount of information is known about his life. However, his birth date is still uncertain, as suggestions range from 462 to...
. A saint called Maucan or Moucan features in an episode of the late 11th-century Life of Cadog, in which he arbitrates a quarrel between Cadog and Maelgwn, king of Gwynedd. A Life of St David, also of the late 11th century, refers to a monastery of Mawgan (Maucannus).
Later still, Meugan is mentioned in the Welsh genealogical collection known as Bonedd y Saint
Bonedd y Saint
The Bonedd y Saint is a Welsh genealogical tract detailing the lineages of the early Brythonic saints. There are a number of different manuscripts in existence dating from the early 13th to the late 17th century, although the material is much older in origin.-External links:***...
, which detail the lineages of Welsh saints. The relevant section has been dated to c. 1510.